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Published on: October 17, 2016
Poly-Lactic Acid: Production, Applications, Nanocomposites, and Release Studies
Majid Jamshidian1, Elmira Arab Tehrany1, Muhammad Imran1
1Authors are with École nationale supérieure d'agronomie et des industries alimentaires, Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine, 2 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54501 Vandoeuvre, France. Direct inquiries to author Jamshidian (E-mail: majid.jamshidian@ensaia.inpl-nancy.fr).
Poly-lactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer from renewable resources, offers sustainable packaging solutions. Modifications and nanocomposite applications enhance its properties for active food packaging, reducing reliance on petrochemicals.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Food Science
Background:
- Growing environmental, economic, and safety concerns necessitate alternatives to petrochemical-based polymers.
- Biodegradable polymers, particularly poly-lactic acid (PLA), are emerging as viable substitutes.
- PLA's versatility and potential for enhanced properties make it a key focus in sustainable packaging research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of poly-lactic acid (PLA) as a biodegradable packaging material.
- To discuss PLA properties, modification techniques, and industrial processing methods.
- To explore the integration of nanomaterials for advanced PLA-based active packaging.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on PLA properties, modifications, and processing.
- Analysis of industrial methods for PLA film, wrapping, laminate, and container production.
- Examination of research on PLA nanocomposites and their application in active packaging.
Main Results:
- PLA can be modified through various methods (modifiers, blending, copolymerizing, physical treatments) to enhance its properties.
- Industrial processing enables the production of diverse PLA packaging formats like films, bottles, and cups.
- Combining PLA with nanomaterials creates high-performance nanocomposites with antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities.
Conclusions:
- PLA is a promising biodegradable material for sustainable packaging, offering an alternative to petrochemical-based polymers.
- Modification strategies and nanotechnology significantly enhance PLA's functionality for active food packaging.
- The development of PLA nanocomposites represents a revolutionary advancement in food packaging science, addressing environmental and health concerns.
